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PubMed2026

Perioperative safety and survival outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in elderly patients with localized renal cell carcinoma: an overlap-weighted Asian cohort study.

The value of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in elderly Asian patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains insufficiently defined. We retrospectively analyzed 339 patients (≥ 70 years) with localized RCC treated at a single Asian center between 2015 and 2025, including 119 undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) and 220 undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN). Propensity score overlap weighting (OW) was applied to compare PN versus RN and, within the PN cohort, RAPN versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Three open partial nephrectomy cases were summarized descriptively and retained only in exploratory sensitivity analyses. Weighted logistic regression and Cox models with robust standard errors evaluated Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II complications and overall survival (OS). After OW, PN was associated with better early postoperative renal functional preservation than RN but a greater incidence of grade ≥ II complications (36.4% vs. 17.6%; weighted p < 0.001); OS was similar. Within the PN cohort, RAPN had longer operative time than LPN (weighted p = 0.030), whereas warm ischemia time, early postoperative eGFR, and grade ≥ II complications (31.8% vs. 40.4%; weighted p = 0.414) were not significantly different. Exploratory analyses favored RAPN, but only one death occurred in this group, and residual confounding remains possible. PN may preserve early renal function in selected older patients, while RAPN appears feasible in experienced centers; its survival association remains hypothesis-generating.

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PubMed2026

Transabdominal lumbar approach (TALA) versus retroperitoneal approach for robot-assisted renal surgery: a prospective randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Common robotic nephrectomy approaches access the kidney via transperitoneal (TP) or retroperitoneal (RP) routes, each with distinct trade-offs. We developed the transabdominal lumbar approach (TALA), combining advantages of both accesses with improved visualisation and strategic trocar placement, and compared it with conventional RP in a prospective randomised controlled trial using technique-oriented intraoperative endpoints. METHODS: In this single-centre, prospective, open-label RCT, 40 patients were randomised to TALA (n = 18) or conventional RP (n = 22). Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years with a renal tumour or non-functional kidney requiring robot-assisted total or partial nephrectomy. Exclusions included prior surgery on the affected kidney, renal vein tumour thrombus, and pregnancy. Both groups were followed for 30 days. The primary endpoint was time from first skin incision to renal artery identification. RESULTS: TALA achieved a median time saving of 16 min compared to conventional RP (38 vs. 54 min, p = 0.001). Perioperative safety was comparable between groups, with three patients (7.5%) experiencing Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV complications. CONCLUSIONS: TALA met its primary endpoint with a significantly shorter time to renal artery identification than conventional RP access, and improving perceived surgical exposure and instrument handling.

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PubMed2026

Sutureless versus renorrhaphy in robot-assisted off-clamp partial nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The necessity of routine parenchymal renorrhaphy during off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare perioperative, functional, safety, and oncological outcomes between sutureless and conventional renorrhaphy. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comparative studies evaluating sutureless versus conventional renorrhaphy during purely off-clamp RAPN were included. Trifecta achievement was the primary outcome. Random-effects models were used for pooled analyses, with subgroup analysis according to study design. RESULTS: Four studies involving 787 patients, including one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and three propensity score-matched (PSM) studies, were included. The overall pooled estimate showed no statistically significant difference in Trifecta achievement (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.97-1.41), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 86.5%). The PSM studies favored the sutureless approach (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05-1.52), whereas the RCT yielded an RR of 0.97 (95% CI 0.92-1.04) and met the prespecified noninferiority criterion without demonstrating superiority. The sutureless approach was associated with a smaller perioperative eGFR decline (MD - 3.89, 95% CI - 6.16 to - 1.62), while no significant difference was observed in eGFR at 3 months. No statistically significant differences were identified in major complications, blood transfusion, or positive surgical margins; urinary and vascular complications were sparsely reported. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients undergoing purely off-clamp RAPN, randomized evidence supports the noninferiority of a strategy that omits routine parenchymal renorrhaphy while permitting clinically necessary selective repair, but does not demonstrate superiority. Favorable estimates from PSM studies remain vulnerable to intraoperative treatment-selection bias. Current evidence is insufficient to determine whether omission of renorrhaphy affects urinary complications, long-term renal function, or oncological outcomes. REGISTRATION: This systematic review was registered prospectively in PROSPERO (CRD420261435995).

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PubMed2026

Comparison of clinical outcomes of robotic versus open pyeloplasty in infants under 6 months.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic pyeloplasties have become the popular approach for surgical repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in the pediatric population. In infants less than 6 months old, there is concern for lack of intra-abdominal working space and lack of benefit compared to an open approach. Our aim was to compare the peri-operative and post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing open versus robotic pyeloplasty under six months of age. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients less than six months of age undergoing robotic or open pyeloplasty between 2020 and 2024 at a single institution. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes were collected and compared. Surgical success was defined as a >50% reduction in the antero-pelvic diameter (APD) of the affected kidney at one year post pyeloplasty. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were identified (16 robotic and 16 open), median age at surgery was 4 months old. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay or narcotic usage between the two groups. The robotic cohort had a significantly longer operative time (209.5 min vs 142.5 min, p < 0.001) compared to the open cohort. There was no significant difference between post-operative complication or surgical success rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this small series, robotic and open pyeloplasty both remain viable options for infants less than 6 months of age with equivalent surgical outcomes and lengths of hospital stay.

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PubMed2026

Robot-assisted versus manual percutaneous vascular interventions across vascular territories: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Robot-assisted percutaneous vascular intervention (R-PVI) has expanded beyond coronary procedures, but previous reviews were largely coronary-focused and observational. Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) warrant broader reassessment of R-PVI versus manual percutaneous vascular intervention (M-PVI) across vascular territories. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from database inception to January 31, 2026, following PRISMA guidelines. RCTs and observational studies including ≥10 adult patients in total were eligible. Comparative studies informed primary analyses, while single-arm studies provided supportive evidence. Primary outcomes were clinical success rate and major adverse cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events (MACE) rate. Secondary outcomes included mortality rate, technical success rate, procedural time metrics, contrast volume, and radiation exposure. Random-effects models were used. Forty studies were included: 3 RCTs, 10 comparative observational studies, and 27 single-arm observational studies, comprising 3,870 patients undergoing R-PVI and 1,142 undergoing M-PVI. Comparative analyses showed similar clinical success rates (RR 1.00, P = 0.46), MACE rates (RR 0.72, P = 0.43), and mortality. Single-arm pooled estimates for clinical and technical success were 98.76% and 96.09%, respectively. R-PVI prolonged total procedure time overall (MD 15.92 min, P = 0.01), with consistent increases in the neurovascular, RCT, and non-RCT subgroups. Fluoroscopy time was also longer (MD 1.91 min, P = 0.04), mainly in the RCT subgroup (MD 2.83 min, P = 0.001). In contrast, intravascular intervention time was unchanged overall and in RCTs, but was prolonged in non-RCTs (MD 8.72 min, P = 0.006). Operator radiation exposure was markedly reduced (MD -33.97 μSv, P < 0.001), whereas patient radiation exposure and contrast volume were similar. R-PVI appears feasible and safe across selected vascular procedures. Its clearest benefit is reduced operator radiation exposure, whereas lower whole-procedure efficiency remains its main limitation.

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PubMed2026

Robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy in adults: a systematic review and pooled analysis of perioperative and functional outcomes.

Robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy (RABD) is used for symptomatic acquired bladder diverticula, but evidence is dispersed across small single-centre series and the only dedicated systematic review dates from 2010. We reviewed contemporary perioperative and functional outcomes of RABD. Following a protocol registered on the Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/54CFT ), PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from inception to 30 August 2026 (initial search June 2026, re-run and broadened for this version), following PRISMA 2020. Eligible studies were original series of five or more adults undergoing robot-assisted bladder diverticulectomy reporting extractable outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data and appraised risk of bias with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for case series, with third-reviewer adjudication. Binary outcomes were pooled as proportions with Wilson 95% confidence intervals (CI); continuous outcomes were summarised as patient-number-weighted descriptive values, because mixed median/mean reporting and clinical heterogeneity precluded a formal pooled-effect meta-analysis. Twelve studies (146 patients) were included and all outcomes were extracted from the full-text reports. A transperitoneal route was used throughout. There were no conversions to open surgery (0/129; 95% CI 0-2.9%). Major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) occurred in 3.0% (4/135; 95% CI 1.2-7.4%). Patient-number-weighted descriptive values (combining study-level medians and means, and therefore not a pooled mean) were: operative time 163 min, blood loss 99 mL, length of stay 3.6 days and catheter duration 7.7 days. Symptom scores and post-void residual improved in every reporting series, significantly in five. The single non-randomised comparison with open surgery reported fewer major complications after RABD (5% [1/20] vs. 50% [3/6], p = 0.007), but the open arm comprised only six patients and this finding should not be regarded as comparative evidence. Across these series, RABD was feasible with low reported short-term morbidity in selected patients: no conversions to open surgery were recorded in the studies reporting conversion status, the major-complication rate was low, and symptom scores and post-void residual improved in every series that measured them. A minority of patients had an incidentally detected intradiverticular tumour; oncological outcomes were not an endpoint of this review. Evidence remains limited by small, heterogeneous, mostly retrospective series, so these findings should be read as descriptive; prospective comparative data are warranted.

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PubMed2026

Robotic-assisted transbronchial biopsy versus computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of direct comparative studies.

Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) and computed tomography-guided transthoracic biopsy (CTTB) are competing strategies for sampling peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). Whether they differ in yield or safety is uncertain. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review restricted to direct comparisons. We searched MEDLINE, Europe PMC, Scopus, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to 7 July 2026 for studies directly comparing RAB with CTTB in adults with PPLs. The primary outcome was strict 2024 American Thoracic Society/American College of Chest Physicians diagnostic yield. Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-I and certainty with GRADE. A cohort-genealogy step identified, per outcome, the largest set of cohorts sharing no patients; only that set was pooled, with Hartung-Knapp and Mantel-Haenszel sensitivity analyses. Five retrospective studies from one US health system were eligible. Four share patients; at most three cohorts are mutually independent. Across those three, diagnostic yield was comparable (risk ratio [RR] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93-1.06; I²=24%; Hartung-Knapp 0.87-1.13), with an identical relative effect under strict and intermediate definitions although absolute yields fell from 88% to 74-84% under strict criteria. Pneumothorax requiring a chest tube and/or admission was about three-quarters less frequent with RAB across all three cohorts (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14-0.46; I²=0%; Hartung-Knapp 0.07-0.96). Strict yield (RR 0.99) and any pneumothorax (RR 0.06) were reported by two cohorts each and neither survives the few-studies correction. RAB took about 50 min longer than CTTB where same-session staging endobronchial ultrasound was counted in the robotic time, but only about 8 min longer than CTTB where it was not. Only one cohort reported yield by lesion size category and none reported yield by bronchus sign or lung zone, so lesion-level subgroups could not be pooled. Certainty was low for pleural complications and very low elsewhere. Low-certainty evidence indicates that RAB is associated with fewer pleural complications, with no statistically detectable difference in diagnostic yield; equivalence was not formally established. Because all evidence is retrospective, confined to one health system, and almost never stratified by lesion size or accessibility, these findings are hypothesis-generating and require a multicenter randomized trial.

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PubMed2026

PCa Detection in PI-RADS 4 and 5 Lesions: Comparison of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT-Guided Robot-Assisted Biopsy Versus mpMRI Cognitive-Fusion TRUS-Guided Prostate Biopsy.

Lesions with a Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score of 4 or greater on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) indicate a high likelihood of prostate cancer (PCa), and guidelines recommend a targeted biopsy. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of robotic arm-assisted [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT-guided prostate biopsy (PGPB) with mpMRI-directed cognitive-fusion transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (MCFB) in biopsy-naïve men with clinical findings suggestive of PCa. Methods: This prospective, single-center, randomized clinical trial (NCT05137561) enrolled biopsy-naïve men age 50-90 y with elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (≥4 ng/mL) and abnormal digital rectal examination findings. All participants underwent mpMRI, and those with a PI-RADS score of 4 or greater were randomized into 2 arms. In arm 1, participants underwent PGPB for a [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-avid lesion, and participants in arm 2 underwent MCFB. Participants in arm 1 with PET-negative findings subsequently underwent MCFB, and participants with negative biopsy results underwent PET and PGPB. The primary outcome was the detection of PCa. Secondary outcomes included complication rates and participant-reported pain. Result: Of the 267 participants enrolled, 81.3% (217) had lesions with a PI-RADS score of 4 or greater and were randomized to either PGPB (n = 112) or MCFB (n = 105). PCa was detected in 97.1% of participants (101/104) in arm 1 and 81.0% (85/105) in arm 2 (P < 0.05). PGPB showed higher diagnostic accuracy for PI-RADS 5 lesions (100% vs. 95.1%, P = 0.09). Major complications were observed in arm 2 only (n = 5). Arm 1 had significantly fewer complications (10.8% vs. 51.4%, P < 0.01), a lower median visual analog scale score for pain (3 vs. 5), and shorter procedure times. The core positivity rate was higher in arm 1 (60% ± 20%), despite obtaining fewer cores. Conclusion: [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PGPB demonstrated higher diagnostic performance, fewer complications, and better tolerability compared with MCFB. This approach enables integrated diagnosis and staging, offering a promising alternative for efficient, safe, and accurate evaluation of prostate cancer.

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PubMed2026

Real-time intraoperative perfusion assessment using indocianine green in pediatric extrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction with crossing vessel.

INTRODUCTION: In vascular hitch (VH) particular attention must be paid to preserving lower pole perfusion. Hypoperfusion is normally excluded by macroscopic visual assessment of parenchyma appearance. Our aim is to explore the possible role of indocyanine green (ICG) in highlighting focal hypoperfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included pediatric patients with UPJO caused by crossing vessels, treated with robot-assisted VH. Intraoperative evaluation assessed UPJ appearance, reduction of hydronephrosis after vessel mobilization, and the adequacy of pelvic drainage during diuretic testing. ICG was used to assess renal perfusion via NIRF imaging. A 25 mg ICG solution was prepared in 10 mL and administered in 1 mL doses. Fluorescence distribution, operative time, and complications were recorded. Follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months included clinical evaluations, blood pressure measurements, and Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: Eight patients (median age 8years) were enrolled between October 2023 and February 2025. ICG assessed renal perfusion post-procedure; one case of focal hypoperfusion due to vessel tension was resolved with intraoperative revision. At a median follow-up of 18 months, no hypertension, pain, or UTIs were observed. Ultrasound demonstrated improved hydronephrosis and normal Doppler flow. CONCLUSION: ICG angiography is a safe and effective tool for the real-time assessment of renal perfusion during pediatric VH procedures.

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PubMed2026

Herd-level heterogeneity of antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli: A nationwide high-throughput survey of Australian pig herds.

Antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli provides a useful indicator for overall antimicrobial resistance burden. We applied this approach to assess antimicrobial resistance within and between commercial pig herds across Australia. A high-throughput robotic workflow was used to isolate 2730 E. coli colonies from rectal contents collected in 2022 from healthy slaughter pigs (n = 300) representing 30 herds (∼70% of national production). Up to 94 isolates per herd underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Robotic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Platform. Isolate- and herd-level antimicrobial resistance indices were calculated, weighting antimicrobials by their human health importance. Resistance to first-line agents was widespread: ampicillin 77% and tetracycline 79%. By contrast, resistance to critically important antimicrobials was rare (ciprofloxacin 0.11%; extended-spectrum cephalosporins 0.04%), and no clinical resistance to carbapenems or colistin was detected. Overall, 56.9% of isolates were multi-class resistant. Herd-level antimicrobial resistance within indices ranged from 1.51 to 5.76, revealing substantial between-herd heterogeneity. Three herds carried critically important antimicrobials-resistant isolates that would likely have been missed using conventional, lower-density sampling approaches. Whole-genome sequencing identified fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates belonging to ST10 and ST69 (both qnrS1), and ST744 (Quinolone Resistance Determining Region mutations plus blaCTX-M-27). By testing approximately tenfold more isolates than conventional surveys, we uncovered considerable antimicrobial resistance with heterogeneity within and between animals and herds, including farm-specific variability. This expanded sampling also enabled detection of critically important antimicrobial resistance at very low prevalence. In conclusion, high-throughput, high-density testing offers a practical early-warning system and herd-level benchmark to inform surveillance and targeted interventions.

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PubMed2026

Positive Margin Rate Following Transoral Surgery in T2-T3 Laryngeal Carcinoma - a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transoral endoscopic surgery, using either conventional laser techniques or supported by robotic assistance, represents an established treatment modality for selected patients with T2-T3 laryngeal carcinoma. The goal is complete tumor removal, as positive resection margins have been associated with worse oncological outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the positive margin rate following transoral endoscopic surgery for T2-T3 laryngeal carcinoma and to evaluate its impact on oncologic outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar was performed from inception through March 2025, identifying studies reporting on surgical margin status after transoral resection of T2 and/or T3 laryngeal carcinoma. A random-effects meta-analysis of proportions was used to estimate a pooled positive margin rate. The oncologic impact of margin status is presented descriptively owing to data heterogeneity. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies comprising 3,281 patients with T2-T3 laryngeal carcinoma met the inclusion criteria. The positive margin rate was 22.0% (95% CI 17.6 - 27.3, I2 = 83.8%) for the total T2-T3 cohort, with stratified rates of 22.4% for T2 and 30.8% for T3 tumors. Among the eight studies assessing the impact of positive margins in T2-T3 stages, three found a significant association with worse oncological outcomes. Conclusion A 22% positive margin rate was identified in T2-T3 laryngeal cancer treated with transoral endoscopic resection. However, the impact of margin status on oncological outcomes remains uncertain, largely due to challenges in sampling and histopathological assessment.

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PubMed2026

Minimally invasive versus open surgery for gallbladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is increasingly being used in gallbladder cancer (GBC) for radical tumour extirpation. However, there are conflicting results on the morbidity outcomes following MIS. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the post-operative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing radical surgery for GBC between MIS and open surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Studies comparing MIS (laparoscopic, robotic or both techniques) to open surgery were included. The databases of MEDLINE, Cochrane and EMBASE were searched from 2001 till March 2025. The primary end point was post-operative morbidity and mortality. The secondary end points were hospital stay, blood loss, operative time and R1 resection rates. Random effect models were used for analysis. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies (laparoscopic [n = 19], robotic [n = 6] or both [n = 7]) involving 8568 (MIS = 3287 and open = 5281) patients were included. For overall and major morbidity (Clavian-Dindo >/ = III), the odds ratio (OR) of 0.60 (95% CI: 0.46-0.78) and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52-1.0) respectively was obtained, favouring the MIS approach. Similarly, MIS showed lower odds for mortality [OR:0.62 (95% CI: 0.40-0.95)] compared to open surgery. MIS was associated with shorter hospital stay (less by mean of 3 days) and lesser blood loss (less by mean of 115 ml) but longer operative time (higher by mean of 5.8 min) and higher R1 resection rates (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.05-1.71). Oncological outcomes, however, were comparable. The certainty of evidence was very low to low across the studies. CONCLUSION: MIS for GBC was associated with relatively lower post operative morbidity and mortality with similar oncological outcomes but with a small but heightened risk of margin positive (R1) resection, especially in primary GBC. The certainty of evidence was very low to low across the included studies. Future prospective studies are needed to overcome the clinical heterogeneity and possible selection bias.

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PubMed2026

Effect of Smoking in Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With TORS: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: While smoking has been implicated as a risk factor for recurrence in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) treated with definitive chemoradiation, its prognostic impact on surgically treated OPSCC is less clear. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Scopus. REVIEW METHODS: Articles describing patients with HPV-associated OPSCC treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS), which reported oncologic outcomes by smoking history, were included. RESULTS: 2079 patients were included across 12 studies. Median age was 58.5 years, and 1808 (87.0%) were male. HPV-associated disease was reported in 1681 (80.9%) patients. T stage was most commonly T2 in 831 (40.0%) and T1 in 764 (36.7%). N stage was N2 in 854 (41.1%), N1 in 544 (26.2%), and N0 in 307 (14.8%). 931 (44.8%) were considered individuals with a smoking history, while 1045 (50.3%) were considered without a smoking history. Median follow up was 33.7 months. Meta-analysis using a fixed effects model demonstrated an overall hazard ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.0) for disease recurrence, 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.5-4.8) for overall survival, and 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.4-4.6) for disease specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of predominantly HPV-associated OPSCC treated with TORS, meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in recurrence-free survival or disease-specific survival between individuals with and without a smoking history. Individuals with a smoking history appeared to have worse overall survival, although only five studies reported on this outcome. Further research is required to clarify the prognostic influence of smoking on OPSCC treated with TORS.

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PubMed2026

Alignment strategies in total knee arthroplasty and the patellofemoral joint: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Different alignment strategies in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may affect the patellofemoral joint. Mechanical alignment (MA) is commonly used but may alter native anatomy. Newer strategies such as kinematic alignment (KA), restricted kinematic alignment (rKA), and functional alignment (FA) aim to better restore native joint mechanics. This study provides an overview of the effects of alignment strategies on patellofemoral outcomes after TKA. METHODS: A literature search in July 2025 identified studies comparing patellofemoral outcomes in TKA using different alignment strategies. Of 166 studies screened, eight met inclusion criteria. Three studies were considered medium quality and five studies low quality. RESULTS: KA and rKA more closely restored native trochlear morphology than MA and FA, reducing outliers in the anterior trochlear line compared with MA and FA. MA showed greater trochlear translation, suggesting worse patellar tracking. Trochlear angles were more anatomical in KA and rKA. However, KA was associated with increased internal femoral component rotation and more outliers beyond safe thresholds. FA showed more consistent rotational positioning, generally within safe limits. Lateral patellar shift and intraoperative lateral release rates did not differ significantly between KA and MA. Only one study reported patella-specific clinical outcome scores, finding no difference between FA and adjusted MA. CONCLUSION: KA and rKA better restore trochlear morphology, but risk excessive internal femoral component rotation. FA provides a more balanced approach. MA, while widely used, is linked to altered trochlear shape and worse patellar tracking. The clinical impact of these radiological differences remains unclear, and higher-quality studies are needed.

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PubMed2026

Effects of an actuated ankle exoskeleton on walking stability in healthy adults: a controlled laboratory study.

BACKGROUND: Ankle exoskeletons are widely used to reduce the metabolic cost of walking, yet their effects on walking stability during unperturbed gait remain insufficiently understood. Walking stability can be characterized using complementary measures that capture stride-to-stride variability, global temporal organization, and local dynamic stability. Understanding how walking with an actuated ankle exoskeleton system influences these different aspects of gait stability is essential for the safe design and control of wearable robotic devices. METHODS: Eighteen healthy adults walked on a treadmill at a constant speed (1.1 m/s) with and without an actuated bilateral ankle exoskeleton in a randomized crossover design. Spatiotemporal variability was quantified using coefficients of variation (CoV) of stride length, step width, and stance ratio. Global gait stability was assessed using detrended fluctuation analysis of stride time. Local dynamic stability was evaluated using maximum Lyapunov exponent calculated for the trunk, hip, upper leg, lower leg, and foot. Paired-samples two-sided t-tests were used to compare conditions. RESULTS: Walking with the ankle exoskeleton resulted in increased stride-to-stride spatiotemporal variability, reflected by higher CoV values for stride length (p < 0.001) and stance ratio (p = 0.005), while mean stride length and step width remained unchanged. Mean stance ratio was reduced in the exoskeleton condition (p < 0.001). Global gait stability did not differ between conditions, indicating preserved long-range temporal gait organization. Local dynamic stability increased at the lower leg (p < 0.001) and foot (p = 0.019) when walking with the exoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: Walking with the actuated ankle exoskeleton alters gait control across multiple levels during steady walking. While stride-to-stride variability in stride length and stance ratio increased, global gait stability remained unchanged. Local dynamic stability was increased at the lower leg and foot, suggesting segment-specific effects of ankle-level assistance close to the assisted joint. However, these findings should be interpreted as the combined effect of wearing the exoskeleton and receiving active assistance, rather than the isolated effect of plantarflexion assistance. These results provide insight for the design and control of ankle exoskeletons with respect to stability-related effects during walking.

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PubMed2026

Effectiveness and usability of artificial intelligence-powered assistive technologies in Supporting daily activities of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the main cause of motor disabilities in childhood, necessitating innovative approaches to rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT). Simultaneously, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into devices to create more adaptive, personalized, and effective AT. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of AI-powered assistive technologies designed to support daily activities and rehabilitation in children with CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and IEEE Xplore, were systematically searched, and 23 articles were included in the final analysis. Articles were identified, selected, and categorized into emerging thematic areas based on the primary function and application of the technology. RESULTS: Five key thematic topics were identified: 1) AI-driven motor rehabilitation and gait training for functional mobility; 2) intelligent assessment and monitoring systems for clinical decision support; 3) AI-supported communication, social interaction, and intention recognition tools; 4) gamified and virtual reality-based interventions to enhance engagement and usability; and 5) smart assistive systems supporting daily living and independent mobility. The findings demonstrate a strong trend toward the application of AI technologies in personalized, engaging, and data-driven interventions for children with CP. However, the field is predominantly in the proof-of-concept stage, with limitations including small sample sizes, lack of long-term clinical validation, challenges in user-centered design, and usability for children with CP. CONCLUSION: AI-powered assistive technologies hold significant potential for transforming the care of children with CP by enabling highly personalized and engaging interventions. To actualize this potential, future work must realize that practical application remains challenging owing to limited clinical validation, technological integration, and usability barriers for children with CP. Future research must prioritize user-centered design and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure that AI and robotic advancements improve the usability and quality of life for children with CP.

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PubMed2026

Effects of blood flow restriction training combined with resistance training on lower-limb strength and sport-specific performance in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In contemporary sports science, athletes and coaches continuously explore strategies to reduce training load and injury risk while increasing muscular strength and sport-specific performance. This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) combined with resistance training (RT) on lower-limb muscle strength and sport-specific performance in athletes. METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically searched across major databases (e.g. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and Embase) from inception until November 2024. Two independent reviewers carefully assessed the studies. Data analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.4 software, which included heterogeneity testing, meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and assessment of publication bias. RESULTS: Ten RCTs (181 athletes; 91 in the BFRT and RT group, 90 in the control group) were included. Outcomes determined BFRT combined with RT yielded notable enhancements in lower-limb muscle strength (SMD = 1.09, 95% CI [0.52, 1.66], p < 0.05) and muscle hypertrophy (MD = 1.09, 95% CI [0.10, 2.09], p < 0.05) compared to control training. However, no significant improvement in sport-specific performance was found (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI [-0.18, 0.40], p = 0.46). Substantial heterogeneity was observed for strength outcomes (I2 = 75%), whereas low heterogeneity was observed for sport-specific performance and hypertrophy outcomes (I2 = 0%). No evidence of significant publication bias was detected. CONCLUSION: BFRT combined with RT appears to provide effective augmentation of lower-limb muscle strength and hypertrophy in athletes compared to RT or conventional training alone. It may be prudent to integrate this approach systematically into training cycles to optimize physiological muscle stimulation and training outcomes, despite not directly improving sport-specific performance.

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PubMed2026

How the microbiome shapes epigenetic trained memory in neuroinflammation: Implications for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly recognized as disorders involving immune dysregulation. However, the mechanisms underlying this dysfunction remain poorly characterized. Trained immunity has recently emerged as a potential contributor to immune dysregulation, particularly in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, where trained immunity is the epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune responses following an initial inflammatory stimulus, which increases responses to subsequent exposures. In parallel, although the brain has traditionally been viewed as an immune-privileged organ, growing evidence indicates that peripheral immune activity exerts significant influence on neuroinflammation in the brain. A major driver of peripheral immunity is the microbiome. Therefore, this perspective aims to present a conceptual framework for a relationship between the microbiome, trained immunity, and neurodegenerative diseases. We first summarize evidence of trained immunity in the brain and its role in neurodegeneration. Next, we highlight the role of the microbiome in peripheral immune modulation and in trained immunity. Finally, we propose potential mechanisms through which the microbiome may induce or modulate trained immunity in the brain. These include: 1) immunogenic microbial metabolites that cross the blood-brain barrier and alter host cell epigenetics; 2) migration of peripherally trained myeloid cells into the brain; 3) viral infection-induced trained immunity that may predispose to neurodegeneration. Together, this perspective suggests that microbiome-induced trained immunity offers a novel mechanism linking peripheral immune regulation with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration with implications for therapeutic targeting of epigenetic modification as a molecular prevention strategy for progression of neurodegeneration.

Humans↗